Tape punch



Dec. 16, 1947. J, NICHOLS 2,432,787

TAPE PUNCH Filed Oct. 31, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NTOR INVE Harry JNib/201s aim W4 ATTOR Dec. 16, 1947. H. J. NICHQLS TAPE PUPICH FiledOct. 31, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Ha) I J Nwhols Dec. 16, 1947. H.J. NICHOLS 2,432,787

TAPE PUNCH Filed Oct. 31, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fig. 5/5

' INVENTOR I "E n I Patented Dec. 16, 1947 TAPE PUNCH Harry J. Nichols,New York, N. Y., aasignor to International Business MachinesCorporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 31, 1944,Serial No. 561,179 16 Claims. (01. 164-113) This invention relates torecording apparatus and more particularly to recording apparatus of thetype wherein character data are recorded in a tape as code designationsand by means of a tape punch.

An object of this invention is to provide for the automatic punching oftape to record subject matter in accordance with a code, such as theBaudot code. A further object is to provide a tape punch which i compactand sturdy in construction, and which will stand up under long usage andwill operate in accordance with the demands of commercial practice. Afurther object is to provide apparatus of the above char-- acter whichmay be manufactured economically in mass production and which may bereadily adapted for use under a variety of conditions. A further objectis to provide a tape punch of the above character which is adapted forcontrol by an independent keyboard, a teleprinter, a typewriter, a tapereader, a code translator, or the like.

A still further object is to provide, in a typewriter controlled tapepunch, a new and improved means and a new and improved method forsimultaneously correcting errors on the typewritten copy and in thetape.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplifled in the structure to be hereinafter described through thetypewriter of Fig. 11 and showing somewhat diagrammatically elements ofa permutation unit which are operated as a result of depressing theerror strike-out key; and,

Fig. '13 is a View similar to Fig. 12 and showing the back-space key.and elements operated thereby.

This tape punch is particularly adapted for remote control by anautomatic typewriter, or by the signals produced by a teieprinter, forrecording the subject matter being typed or produced thereby. In Fig. 11of the drawings, the tape punch is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 300 and is shown as being controlled in its operation by thekeyboard 301 of a Well known commercial form of typewriter indicated bythe reference numeral 302.- As will appear more fully hereinafter, therecord produced by this tape punch is a tape having reguand the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation from the righthand side of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlargedjview of the lower'lefthand portion of Figure 2with certain parts broken away and removed so as toexpose internal partsof the apparatus; 3

Figures 5 and 6 are views of punched tape demonstrating one feature ofthe system;

Figures 7 and dare partially schematic views of two of the punch units;

Figure 9 is a view of the tape feed construction;

Figure 10 is a wiring diagram of the system;

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the tape punch of Figs. 1 to 9 inclusiveas controlled in its operation by a typewriter;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section 56 larly spacedtransverse'rows of record holes punched therein, each row representing acharacter in accordance with the code. The punched tape is primarily ameans of storing the subject matter, either temporarily or for anindefinite period, and the tape is available to retype the subjectmatter or for other use in a tape-controlled signal system. In somesystems the tape is normally produced at a slow rate, but it is used ata rapid rate; in other systems the tape is produced at a rapid rate, butmay be used at a slow rate. In all of these systems where there is adifference in. the normal operating rates of the variou units, there isthe ever present danger that the speed of the entire system will bereduced to the speed of the slowest unit. The tape punch hereindisclosed is suitable for use in any system'oi this type, and it willoperate efliclently at a slow speed or at a fast speed depending uponthe operation of the other units in the particular system. y

used to produce holes for supplemental signaling.v

Furthermore, another code such as the five-unit Baudot code may be usedand the sixth hole may then be used for supplemental signaling. The feedholes and signal holes are punched in rows across the width of the tape,and all of the holes in each row are produced simultaneously by atransverse row of individually operated punches. This insures accuratealignment of each row of holes, and the various rows of holes areaccurately spaced along the tape. In this way the apparatus is adaptableto various modes of operation and even a completed unit may be readilychanged from one type of system to another without anything mor thanminor changes in construction.

One feature of the invention is the provision or means for accuratelyadjusting the distance between adjacent rows of holes, 1. e., the pitchof the rows of feed holes and record holes; illustratively, there areten rows of holes per linear inch of tape. Another important feature ofthe invention is the provision of means for striking out erroneoustyping, which has been recorded in the tape, by merely following theprocedure which is usually followed in striking out errors in the typedcopy on an electric typewriter.

The detailed construction of the punch 306 is fully disclosed in Figs. 1to 9 inclusive. Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3 of thedrawings, a base 2 has rigidly mounted along its front side a punch unit4 having a lower mounting plate 6 and an upper mounting plate 6 whichare parallel and between which are mounted the tape punches and the tapefeed mechanism; the entire punch unit is held together and fixed to base2 by seven vertical bolts l extending through the plates. Adjacent punchunit 4 is a solenoid assembly l2 formed by a number of horizontal-axissolenoids held between a pair of parallel vertical plates l4 and i6which are in turn held to base 2 (see Figure 3) by a bracket i and aplurality of set screws l'l. Centrally positioned with respect to base2, partially over the top of the solenoid assembly'and the punch unit,is a reel i8 of blank tape 20, the pivotal support being provided by aball-bearing spindle 2i carried by an angle bracket 22 welded to base 2.As indicated in broken lines in Figures 2 and 3 and in full lines inFig. 11, the mechanism is enclosed in a cover 23 the details of whichare not shown, but which has end walls fixed to base 2 and a top portionhinged at the rear of the machine.

Referring again to Figure 2 the tape is lead to the right from the frontside of the reel to a tape guide 24 mounted on a vertical bracket 25fixed to base 2. The tape passes over a roll turn 26 at the top of tapeguide 24 and thence downwardly along the back of the guide where (seeFigures 1 and 3) the tape is held against the guide by a tongue 21integral with the guide. At the bottom of the tape guide the tape passesaround a lower roll turn 28 and thence to the left behind a punch block30 into a punch slot 29 (shown at the right-hand side of Figures '7 and8) between punch block 30 and a punch guide 3|. Punch guide 3! isbeveled at its two edges (see also Figure 4) and as shown in Figure 1the punch block 30 is fixed to the punch guide by a pair of screws 23a.As indicated above, there are six record holes and three feed holes,each of which is produced by a punch, thus there are nine punchescarried in punch guide 3| and nine cooperating holes in the punch block30. The top, bottom, and center punches produce the feed holes and areof the type shown in Figure 8. These punches have reduced ends, andtheir holes are small, whereas, the record holes are larger and areproduced by punches of the type shown in Figure 7. These punches are ingroups of three above and below the center punch. The

tape is pulled to the left through the punch slot 29 by a pin barrel 32and from the pin barrel the tape passes from the machine through achute. As shown in Figure 2, the tape is held in contact with pin barrel32 by a spring clip 36 carried bypunch block 30 and slotted at 38 topermit the passage of feed pins 34 which engage the feed holes in thecenter row (see also Figure 4). As will be explained more fully below,the tape is moved intermittently, it being stopped for each punchingoperation and then started again. However, this intermittent pull and,in fact, any sudden Jerkon the tape, is absorbed by tape guide 24because roll turns 26 and 28 are smooth, and the tape tends to rideoutwardly (to the ,right in Figure 2) when there is a sudden jerk orpull; and then the tape rides back again to the position shown when thepull is relaxed or is steady. Thus, even though the tape is pulledintermittently it is unwound at a steady rate by a relatively steadypull on the reel, and the intermittent pull by the pin barrel does nottear the tape.

Each of the punches is individually operated by a solenoid and leverassembly, the punch being projected to punch the tape by energization ofits solenoid and then being retracted and held away from the tape by atractile spring. Each of the lever assemblies is of the type shown inFigures 7 and 8 and comprises three fiat levers all positionedhorizontally so that they all operate in a single plane in verticalalignment with the punch. Accordingly (see Figure 4), positioned belowplate 8 and parallel thereto is a rigid intermediate plate 39, andbetween this plate 39 and plate 6 are ten spacer plates 4|. Plates 39and M are all held in rigid parallel relationship by bolts i0 andsuitable spacer sleeves so that mne narrow parallel spaces are providedfor the lever assemblies. The lever assemblies for live of the punchesare positioned in their respect ve spaces at the left of punch block 30and the other four lever assemblies are positioned to the right. Eachlever assembly is in alignment with its punch as well as in alignmentwith the axis of the solenoid which operates it.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, each lever assembly comprises a swinginglever 50 pivoted on a fixed pivot pin 52 extending through the adjacentplates 4|, a bell crank 56, and a floating lever 54, which is connectedonly to lever 50 and bell crank 56 by disc and socket joints 58 and 60.respectively, Bell crank 56 is pivoted on a fixed pivot pin 51 and atits right-hand end it is operatively connected to a punch 62, through aslot 6| in the end of the punch and a disc 59 on the end of the bellcrank arm. Punch 62 slides in punch guide 3i and when bell crank 56rocks clockwise, the end of the punch moves from the position shownacross the punch slot and into the punch block 30. Levers 50 and 54 formin one sense a toggle-pair, and they provide four points of actuation ofequal leverage where sole- 'noid units of equal force may be connectedand will produce identical punching actions at the punch. These fourpoints of connection are formed by integral pins each extending onopposite sides of the levers, and are as follows: near the left-hand endof lever 50 pin 66, an equal distance to the right of pivot 52 pin 68,at the right-hand end of floating lever 54 pin 10, and an equal distanceto the left of joint 60 pin 12.

The operation of this lever assembly in rocking bell crank 56 clockwisefrom the position shown through an arc suiiicient to project the punchthrough the tape, is as follows: lever 50 is'pivotedat 52, and whenswung counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 710 as tostraighten the toggle, its right-hand end swings through a small arecarrying the left-hand end of floating lever 04 with it: the right-handportion of floating lever 04 is rockably attached to bell crank 56 whichin turn is mounted on the fixed pivot 51. Thus, when the left-hand endoilever I4 is moved from the position shown,

the lever 54 is rocked about the joint 00, and at the same time itswings to the right with levers 5,0 and 54 moving toward alignment, andwith bell crank 68 rocking to the right. The movement oi the bell crankprojects the punch against and through the tape. At the right-hand endof lever 50 is a fixed stop pin .69 against which lever 50 is biased bytension spring 63, carried by adjusting screw 05. which in turn isthreaded in a bracket 61 mounted on the base of the machine. Thus, theelements are normally biased toward the position shown. In Figure 7 oneof the solenoid operating units is shown in full lines and includes asolenoid 00, and an armature l8 slidably positioned in the solenoid.Armature 10 carries a threaded armature rod 16, to which is adjustablyattached a elevis 14, the opposite end of which is slotted to receivelever 50 sothat the two sides fit above and below lever 50. The eyes ofclevis 14 are elongated, and positioned in these eyes are the two endsof pin 60, which is integral with lever 50. A tractile spring 82 isattached at one end to lever 50 and at the other end to a bracket 04,rigidly mounted on elevis. 14.

The elongated eyes in elevis l4 cooperate with pin 68 to provide a lostmotion relationship between clevis I4 and the link 50, with spring 02tending to hold these members in the positions shown, However, whensolenoid 80 is energized, armature I8 is given a sudden pull and thefirst movement of the armature is so rapid that the movement is absorbedby spring 82 and no move-.

ment is transmitted immediately to the lever 50. That is, lever 50 tendsto remain stationary, and, in fact, it is resiliently held by spring 63.However, as clevis I4 starts to move, spring 02 exerts a strong pull onlever 50, and this is great enough to overcome the inertia of themembers as well as the effect of spring 63, so that lever 50 starts toswing with the clevis under the influence of spring 82. The initialmovement of lever 50 is relatively slow, and it causes punch 62 toapproach the tape and to push the tape against the punch block. Whilethis action is taking place, clevis i4 is moving rapidly and gainingspeed, and it soon moves a distance with respect to lever 50 equal tothe length of the elevis eyes so that the ends of pin 68 are caught bythe opposite ends of the eyes. This results in there being apositive-acting mechanical pull by the clevis on lever 50, so that themovement of armature I8 is transmitted to the punch without anyintervening resilient action as is produced by spring 02 during theearly part of the movement.

Immediately after this positive-acting relationship is established, thepunch is projected through the tape. However, this positive-actingrelationship does not exist until the armature and the elevis have beenbrought up to full speed, and due to the weight of these membersconsiderable kinetic energy has been stored up; this kinetic energy aswell as the power of the solenoid is'utilized to project the punchthrough the tape. In this way armature I and elevis l4 gather momentumduringthe first part of their movement while spring ingbroughtuptospeed.Thenjustasthepunch. is about to pierce the tape the positive-actingrelationship is created between the armature and the punch so that themomentum of the armature as well as the instantaneous pull or thesolenoid is utilized to perform the actual punching operation. Thus, thesolenoid unit does not carry a heavy load until all oi the movingmembers have been brought up to speed and the tapehas been positionedagainst the punch'block. In this way, a relatively small solenoid unitaccomplishes the 15 punching operation in an efllcient and dependablemanner. After the punch is projected through the tape, solenoid 80 isdeenergized and spring 03 returns the elements to the initial positionshown.

As indicated in broken lines, an identical leverage and spring assemblyis used to provide the operative connection between the next adjacentsolenoid 83 and its punch, the solenoid unit in this case being shown inbroken lines and including an armature 85 and a elevis 86. Clevis 80 isconnected to floatin lever 54. by pin I2, there being a coil spring 81and the same lost-motion connection as provided between elevis i4 andlever 50.

The energization of solenoid 82 imparts the same mechanical action tothe linkage assembly as does the energization of solenoid 80 and thetape is punched in the same way. That is, when solenoid 83 is energized,armature 85 and elevis 86 start to move, and spring 81 starts to exert aforce upon lever 54 so that levers 54 and 50 start .to move towardalignment, and bell crank 56 is rocked clockwise so that the punch.moves the tape against the punch block. Thereafter a positiveactingrelationship is set up between pin "and clevis 86 so that the punch isprojected through the tape.

Figure. 8 is a showing of the other two possible connections between theoperating solenoid units and this leverage assembly. Accordingly, asshown in full lines, a solenoid 90 has its amiature 9i operativelyconnected to punch 82'through a clevis 04 and a pair of levers and 54.Clevis 94 is connected to the left end of lever 50 by pin 68, and a.spring 93 corresponds to spring 82 in Figure '7. The members are biasedtoward the po- 50 sition shown, with the right end of lever 50 held inengagement with a stop pin 98, by a, spring 96, carried by an adjustingscrew 95, threaded in a fixed bracket 91. With the links in thisposition, energization of solenoid 90 swings lever 50 clockwise so thatlevers 50 and 54 move toward alignment, and this movement rocks bellcrank 58 clockwise with the same action and force as with thearrangement in Figure 7. That is, the relationship' between the membersin Figure 8 is such 60 that the energization of solenoid 90 gives anaction at the punch which is identical with the action which resultsfrom the energization of solenoid 80 in the assembly of Figure 7. At therighthand side of Figure 8 there is a broken-line showing of a solenoidI00, having an armature I02, a

spring I08, and a elevis I04 connected with pin 10 on link 54. Hereagain, the energization of solenoid I00 produces an action at the punchwhich is identical with that explained above in connection with thediscussion of solenoid and its associated parts.

The four solenoids represented in Figures 7 and 8 are operatedindividually to produce four of the feed and punch holes discussedabove. The other 82 transmits only sufllcient force to the punch 15 flveholes are produced with identical solenoid units and lever assemblies,there being four solenoids positioned at the right of the punch blockand five positioned at the left of the punch block. This particularlinkage assembly which is used interchangeably for the various punchesis admirably adapted for use in apparatus of this type where compactnessand reliable operation are very important, and where interchangeabilityof parts reduces production costs and simplifies the problems ofmaintenance.

As shown in broken lines in Figure 4, there is positioned beneathsolenoid 60 an additional solenoid I04, which has a linkage assemblylike that of solenoid 00. These two solenoids produce the outer row offeed holes which are of reduced size, and as explained above these feedholes may be omitted when preferred by merely disconnecting theirsolenoids. Referring to Figure l, the four solenoids 90, 80, 83, and Iare shown in side-byside relationship and at the right are positionedthe additional punch-operating solenoids I06, I06, H0, and H2. Asindicated above, solenoids I06, I08, IIO, and H2 are provided withlinkage assembiies identical with those shown in Figures 7 and 8.

In addition to the punch-operating solenoids there are two feedsolenoids positioned partially over solenoids I I0 and I I2, these beinga forwardfeed solenoid Ill and a reverse feed solenoid I I6. The feedmechanism which is operated by solenoids H4 and I I6 is shown best inFigure 9. The forward-feed solenoid II4 has an armature II8 which isconnected through a link II9 to a bell crank I20, pivoted at I22. Bellcrank I20 is connected to one end of a push rod I24, the other end ofwhich is pivotally attached to a feed crank I26. Crank I26 is rockablymounted on the vertical feed shaft I28 (see also Figure 4) which isrotatably mounted in the fixed mounting plates 8, 39, and 6 and whichcarries the pin barrel 32. Pin barrel 32 is fixed to the shaft by a setscrew I29, and the tape-feed movement is transmitted to the shaft andthence to the pin barrel and the tape. Accordingly, shaft I28 carries a.forwardfeed ratchet wheel I30, and a reverse-feed ratchet wheel I32which are mounted in spaced relationship on a squared portion of theshaft, the cross section of which is shown in Figure 9. The forward-feedratchet wheel I30 has teeth with the contour shown in Figure 9 so thatclockwise movement may be transmitted through it to the shaft; whereas,the reverse-feed ratchet wheel has similar but oppositely formed teethso that counterclockwise movement may be transmitted through it to theshaft.

Feed crank I26 is rockably mounted on shaft I28 beneath ratchet wheelI32 (see Figure 4) and it has an integral arm I34 (shown in broken linesin Figure 9) extending to the left which carries a double pawl I36. PawlI36 is rockably mounted on arm I34 by a screw I38 and is held in spacedrelationship by a washer I40 (Figure 4). At the right. pawl I 36 extendsbetween ratchet wheels I 30 and I 32 and it carries an upwardlyextending pawl pin I42 which is engageable with teeth of theforward-feed ratchet wheel I 30 and a downwardly extending pawl pin I44which is engageable with the teeth of the reverse-feed ratchet wheelI32. Referring to Figure 9, pawl I36 is biased clockwise about its pivoton screw I38 by a spring I46 attached to feed crank I26 and the pawl.This spring holds pawl pin I42 resiliently against the forward-feedratchet I30 so that a forward-feed action normally results from rockingmovement of the feed crank. Feed crank I26 is biased toward the positionshown against a stop pin I48 by a spring I60 attached to the feed crankand the base of the machine.

During operation, forward feed of tape is desired after each punchingoperation, and to produce this solenoid H4 is momentarily energized;this draws armature II8 into the solenoid and swings bell crank I20clockwise through a short arc. This acts through push rod I24 to swingfeed crank I26 counterclockwise through an are which is slightly greaterthan the pitch of one tooth on the feed ratchet wheels. When thisoccurs, pawl I36 moves downwardly and pawl pin I42 rides over one toothon the forward-feed ratchet wheel I30. Soon thereafter solenoid I I4 isdeenergized, releasing its armature and permitting spring I50 to swingfeed arm I26 back to the position shown. Pawl pin I42 is held againstthe forward-feed ratchet wheel by spring I46, and the ratchet wheel iscarried along with the feed crank. This advance is equal to the pitch ofone tooth on the ratchet wheel, which is also the distance between thepins on pin barrel 32 and is the distance between the rows of holes inthe tape. Thus. during normal operation the tape is advanced stepby-stepby the intermittent energization of solenoid H4.

The tape is fed step-by-step in a reverse direction by the intermittentenergization of the reverse-feed solenoid II6. Solenoid II6 has anarmature I52 connected through a link I54 to the right-hand end of anoperating lever I56, which is pivoted on a fixed pivot shaft I68 and theleft end of which carries a thrust-fork I60 which is attached to leverI56 by a pivot pin I 62. The forked lower end of thrust-fork I60 extendsalong the under side of pawl I36 and engages a headed pin I64 (Figure 4)rigidly mounted on the pawl. The energization of the reverse solenoid II6 (Figure 9) pulls armature I52 into the solenoid and swings lever I 56counterclockwise around its pivot shaft I 58. This moves the left-handend of lever I56 toward the front (toward the bottom of Figure 9) and asa result of this movement, thrustfork I60 swings pawl I36counterclockwise about its pivot screw I38 so that pawl pin I42 isdisengaged from the forward-feed ratchet wheel I30, and pawl pin I44 ismoved into engagement with the reverse-feed ratchet wheel I32. As thestroke continues, the engagement of pawl pin I44 with the reverse-feedratchet wheel I32 causes reversefeed movement to be transmitted toratchet wheel I32 and thus to shaft I28. Immediately, thereafter,solenoid H6 is deenergized, and springs I50 and I46 return the variousmembers to the position shown in Figure 9. It should be noted that theclockwise torque exerted by spring I46 is less than that exerted byspring I50 so that the initial swinging movement caused by thrust-forkI60 swings pawl I36 without moving crank lever I26. However, whensolenoid H6 is deenergized and thrust-fork I60 starts moving upwardly,both springs exert their torques, and the members are returned to theirinitial positions immediately without any further movement beingtransmitted to the ratchet wheels.

The tape is fed accurately both in its forward movement and in itsreverse movement, and accuracy is insured by a Jockey-roller arrangementshown best in Figures 1 and 4 and mounted on the top of plate 8. ShaftI28 has a squared upper end which carries a star-wheel I66 held in placeby stud bolt I68 and a washer I'Ill. Referring particularly to Figure 1,engaging star-wheel pivot arm I14 pivoted at I16 and having a spring armI18. Attached to spring arm I16 is a spring I88, the other end of whichis fixed so that arm. I14 with jockey roller I12 is biasedcounterclockwise, and as a result the jockey roller rides against and inbetween the teeth of the starwheel I66. Star-wheel I66 has the samenumber of teeth as there are pins on pin barrel 32, and there is a fixedangular relationship between the teeth and the pins. Thus, during eachfor ward and reverse-feed operation, the jockey roller rides over onetooth on star-wheel I66, and at the end of the feeding operation, whenthe respective solenoid is deenergized, the star-wheel 5 will be heldin-an exact predetermined relationship by the ;Iockey-roll. If the feedoperation has been slightly more or slightly less than the distancebetween the pins on the pin barrel, spring I14 is efiective to projectthe jockey-roller against the star-wheel with sufllcient force to turnthe star-wheel to the proper position.

As indicated above, arm I14 is pivoted at I16, there being aneccentrically mounted cylindrical bushing I82 which has a reducedcylindrical portion snugly received in a hole through the arm, and anoverhanging head which extends over the edges of the arm. Bushing I82 isclamped to plate 8 by a stud bolt I84 extending through a hole which iseccentric with respect to the center of the bushing. The head of bushingI82 is slotted, and when stud bolt I84 is loosened, the bushing may berotated by a screwdriver or the like about the stud bolt; this rotationmoves the bushing and with it, arm I14 and jockey-roller I12. However,the jockey-roller is held into engagement with star-wheel I66 so thatthe movement of the jockey-roller causes the star-wheel to turn througha short are and in fact the arrangement of parts is such that a veryfine adjustment is obtained of the angular position in which thestar-wheel is held by the jockey-roller As' indicated above the positionof the star-wheel when it is stopped determines the position of the tapeduring the punching operation, and thus, determines the position of therow of holes, which is produced by the row of punches. In this way, anaccurate adjustment is provided for the spacing of the rows of holes.

For proper operation, the spacing between the punches and the pin on thepin barrel where the tape contacts the pin barrel is equal to a specificnumber times the pitch of the transverse rows of holes in the tape. Thatis, the tape must be stopped for the punch operation'so that a feed holewill be punched in the exact place to be engaged by a pin. This exactspacing between the pins on the pin barrel and the punch is obtained byrotating bushing I82; when the proper adjustment is obtained, stud boltI84 is tightened so as to maintain the adjustment.

The chips punched from the tape are projected through the punch blockinto a chip chute shown best in Figurcs'l and 3 and indicated at IBI.Chip chute I8! is clamped to the punch block at the top by the upperscrew 23a holding the punch block in place and at the bottom the 10along the bottom of the tray so as to push the chips away from beneaththe chiplchute.

In Figure 10 the electrical circuit of the tape punch is shown alongwith a schematic representation of the keyboard-controlled permutationunit. A plurality of electrical switches which may be considered asoperated elements of the permutation unit, are inclosed within adash-line.

rectangular appearing at the left of Fig. 10. As will, be explained morefully hereinafter, the permutation unit is of well known constructionand is indicated generally b the reference numeral 385 in Figs. 12 and13. In Fig. 10, the punch solenoids as well as the feed solenoids arerepresented at the right and are connected to the permutation unit atthe left. In the permutation unit the permutation switches I86, I88,I98, I92, I94, and I96 are connected respectively to solenoids 88, 83, I88, I86, I88, and H8. Solenoid I84 which produces the center row of feedholes is connected through a lead I98 to a lead 288 which extends to thenormally-closed switch unit 282 of a feed-switch assembly 284. The otherside of switch unit 282 is connected to the power lead 286 which carriescurrent from a battery 288, the other side of which is grounded at 2I8.Solenoids 98 and H2 which produce the outer rows of feed holes may alsobe connected to lead I98 by the closing of a manual switch 2 I 2. Thus,when only a single row of feed holes are desired, switch 2I2 is open asshown, and when three rows are desired, switch I I2 is closed.

Lead 288 extends upwardly to the winding 28I of a delayed action feedrelay 2I4 which has a normally-open switch 2I6; switch 2| 6 is closedafter a predetermined delay by the energization of the relay'winding MIand opens again after a predetermined delay upon the deenergization ''ofthe winding. Switch 2I6 is connected at one chip chute extends throughan opening in the side to lead 288 and at the'other side to theforward-feed solenoid H4, the other side of which is connected through alead 2I8 to ground, designated 228. Winding 28I is connected at theright to a lead 222 and thus to one side of a normallyopen switch224,-the other side of which is connected to ground 228. Switch 224 ispart of a double relay switch 226 which has a winding 228 connected atone side to ground 238 and at the other side through a lead 232 and acam-operated switch 234 to power lead 286. Relay switch 226 has a secondnormally-open switch 236 which is connected at one side to ground 228and at the other side to 'a lead 238 which is connected to all of thepunch solenoids and to the reverse-feed solenoid H6. The other side ofsolenoid H6 is connected through a lead 248 to a normally-open switch242 which is part of switch assembly 284; as will be explained below,the center contact carrying blade of switch assembly 284 may be swungdown from the position shown in Fig. 10, so as to open switch 282 and toclose switch 242.

As shown in Fig. 11 the keyboard 38I of the typewriter 382 comprises therequired complement of character and functional keys, including astrike-out key 383 and a back-space key 384. The general constructionand operation of the typewriter 382 is well known to those skilled inthis art, it having been in commercial use for a number of years andhaving been disclosed fully in a large number of U. S. patents amongwhich is Patent No. 1,777,055, granted September 30, 1930. Consequently,there is no need to disclose in detail its construction and operationherein, it being suflicient to say that the typewriter 382 is of thepower-operated type (see Fig. 12) and ii that each time a character keyis depressed, a related cam unit 306 is tripped and the double lobe camelement 301 thereof is caused to engage a continuously rotating powerroller 308 which rotates the cam for one-half of a revolution and thecam is then latched up again. The rotation of the cam rocks its cam unitcounterclockwise about a fixed rod 309; and. through a related link 3I0,sub-lever 3II. link 3I2, and toggle 3I3, the rocked cam unit 306 moves arelated type bar 3I4 counterclockwise into printing engagement with acopy sheet 3I5 (see also Fig. 11) supported by a platen SIB on acarriage 3I'I. The character key shown in Fig. 12 is the strike-out key303, but it will be apparent that a similar action takes place each timeany of the other character keys is depressed. As is also well known tothose skilled in this art, each time one of the functional keys isdepressed, a cam unit similar to 306 is rocked and, in rocking,eilects'the functional operation represented by the actuated key. Fig.13 shows the back-space key 304 and it will be apparent that thedepressing of the key 304 trips its related cam unit 306a and therebycauses the single lobe cam 307a to engage power roller 306 and rock thecam unit 306a. and, through the link 3I0a, lever 3| Ia, and link 3I2aactuates the back-space'mechanism (not shown) of the typewriter. For acomplete disclosure of the backspace mechanism see Patent No. 1,873,553,granted August 23, 1932. The link 3I2a is the same as the link l8 of thelatter patent.

The permutation unit is of the same general type as is disclosed in myprior Patent No, 2,315,- 727, granted April 6, 1943. and comprisesgenerally a plurality of permutation slides 320 which are mounted inparallel side-by-side relation on fixed supporting rods 32I and whichare, respectively, related to and are actuated by the keycontrolled camunits 306, 306a. For example, in Fig. 12 when the cam unit 306 is rockedcounterclockwise as previously described, its related slide 320 is slidto the right and in so doing selectively actuates the previouslyreferred to permutation switches in accordance with the code de ignationcorresponding to the key actuated. The code designation for thestrike-out key 303 comprises a code hole in each of the code positionsin the tape. Consequently, when the slide 320 which is related to thekey 303 is moved to the right, it closes each of the permutationswitches I86, I88, I90. I92, I94, and I96. When the cam unit 306 returnsto the inactive position shown, a spring (not shown) returns its relatedslide to its inactive position.

During the operation resulting from the depressing of each key. itsrelated slide 320 through a rod 322 and cam 323 closes the switch 234(see also Fig. 10). Each closing of switch 234 energizes solenoid 228closing switches 224 and 236. The closing of switch 236 energizes eachsolenoid which is connected at that time at its other side by itsassociated permutation switch to power lead 206, and the tape is punchedso as to produce the corresponding feed and record holes. In Figure 10switches I80, I92, and I96 of the permutation unit are closed and thecenter feed hole solenoid I04 is connected. Accordingly, the closing ofswitch 236 causes solenoids 83, I04, I 06, and I I to be energized.

The closing of switch 224 by the energization of winding 228 energizeswinding 20I of relay 2I4 simultaneously with the energization ofthe'punch solenoids, and due to the slow action of relay 2M, switch 2I6is closed after a short delay. The

closing of switch 2I6 energizes the forward-feed solenoid H4 so as toswing the feed arm to the feed position; shortly thereafter, switch ZIBopens again (as a result of the opening of switch 224), deenergizingsolenoid H4 with the result that the tape is fed forward one step. Thedelay in the closing and reopening of switch 2I6 is such that thepunching operation is completed and the punches are withdrawn before thetape is moved.

The reverse feed of the tape is under the control of the back-space ke304 on the typewriter, or other operating machine, and the tape is fedback one step for every back space stroke of the key. When theback-space key is pressed, the permutation unit sets the code to blankso that no punching of the tape occurs; at the same time,

a the cam unit 306a is actuated as explained above and its related slide320a moves to the left as viewed in Fig. 13 and thereby transfers theswitch assembly 204 so as to open switch 202 and close switch 242. Asshown in Fig, 10, the opening of switch unit 202 deenergizes theforward-feed circuit and the feed hole punch circuit; and the closing ofswitch 242 connects solenoid II4 to power lead 206; thus, the closing ofswitch 226 results only in the energization of solenoid H6. Theenergization of solenoid II6 feeds the tape back one step whereupon thesolenoidis deenergized.

As indicated in Fig. 11, the depressing of the strike-out key 303effects the printing of a character similar to the dash It isconventional practice for a typist to cancel previously typed charactersby back-spacing the typewriter carriage so as to bring the erroneouslyprinted character into printing position and then to strike the dash keyor the "X key so as to thereby strike out the erroneous character. Inaccordance with the present invention, the depressin of the back-spacekey 304 back spaces the tape and the carriage simultaneously and thedepressing of the strike-out key 303 causes the punching of code holesin all code positions of the tape while the type bar 3 is being operatedto print the dash Figs. 5 and 6 indicate how an error in the typewrittenmatter and in the tape are corrected simultaneously. The charactersappearing above the recording fields of the tape in Figs. 5 and 6indicate the matter that is printed on the sheet 3 I 5 of Fig. 1 whilethe corresponding code designations are being recorded in the tape. InFigure 5 it is assumed that the typist is typing your invoice and failsto strike the i before the c; Upon discovering this error, the operatoroperates the back space key six times to move the carriage of thetypewriter back and this operation also operates the reverse feedmechanism so as to reverse the tape. Thereafter the typist strikes thestrike-out key six times and this strikes out the typed copy, asindicated in Figure 6, and also causes the tape punch to punch all ofthe record holes in the tape. The typist then proceeds by spacing onceand then typing the correct word "invoice." Later'when the tape is readout, the typewriter or teleprinter controlled thereby, types yourinvoice" omitting the crossed out part entirely; that is, the tapereader produces no typing or spacing signal in the portion of the tapewhere all six of the record holes are punched.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereriphery of said reel, said punchassembly including a plurality of punches positioned in paral elvertical alignment and a punch block adapted to cooperate with saidpunches, tape-engaging means to feed tape from said reel through saidtape punch assembly, a leverage assembly comprising a plurality ofindependent leverage units corresponding in number to the number of saidpunches and associated respectively with said punches, a solenoidassembly comprisinga plurality of solenoid-operating units correspondingin number to the number of said leverage units and connectedrespectively to said leverage units, and motive means to impartintermittent movement to the tape through said tape-engaging meanscoordinated in its action with the action of said punches whereby thetape is moved one step after each punching operation.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein each of said leverage unitsincludes a pair of interconnected levers each having means forming twoconnections to which a solenoid may be attached with the action by thesolenoid on the punch being substantially identical when connected toany one of said connections.

3. In a tape punch, a leverage assembly comprising, a bell crank havingtwo arms one of which is connected to a punch with the bell crankadapted to be rocked to move the punch to a punch block, a floatinglever connected to the other arm of said bell crank at a pivotal axiswhich is substantially one third of the length of the lever from one endthereof said floating lever having means forming a pair of connectionsone of which is positioned at the end of the floating lever adjacent thebell crank and the other of which is positioned an equal distance on theother side of saidpivotal axis, a pivoted lever longitudinally relatedto said floating lever in end-to-end relationship and connected to theend of the floating lever furtherest from said pivotal axis, pivotalmeans providing a fixed pivot for said pivoted lever at a point spacedalong said pivoted lever a distance substantially equal to twice thedistance between said pivotal axis and each of said connections, andmeans providing two connections with said pivoted lever at points spacedalong said pivoted lever on the opposite,

sides of said pivotal means distances equal to the distance between saidpivotal axis and each of said connections, whereby an operating forcewill exert an equal operating effect on the punch if applied at any oneof said connections,

4. In a leverage assembly for a tape punch the combination of, a pivotedlever having an operating arm portion by which force is transmittedthrough a joint at its end, said lever including means forming twoconnections for transmitting force to said lever through lever armsequal to one half the lever arm of said Joint, a floating leverconnected at one end through said joint to said pivoted lever and havinga connecting coupling spaced from said Joint a distance equal to thelever arm of said Joint, said floating lever including means forming twoconnections for transmitting force to said floating lever, and meansconnected to said coupling whereby said coupling provides a moving pivotabout which said floating lever rocks.

5. In a tape punch, a tape feed mechanism including, a pin barrelengaged by the tape to transmit feed motion to the tape, a drive shaftupon which said pin barrel is rotatably mounted, a feed arm rockablymounted on said shaft, drive unit to transmit feeding movement to saidfeed arm including a spring which rocks said feed arm toward one extremeposition and a solenoid which is energized to rock the arm toward theother extreme position, a forward-feed ratchet wheel a reverse-feedratchet wheel, both of said ratchet wheels being mounted upon said shaftto transmit feed movements to said shaft, a double pawl rockably mountedon said feed arm and having a pair of pins adapted respectively toengage said ratchet wheels, spring means biasing said pawl in adirection so that the respective pin engages said forward-feed ratchetwheel, a forward-feed motive means to rock said arm and transmitforward-feed movement to said shaft,

and a reverse-feed solenoid assembly having an armature operativelyconnected to said pawl whereby energization of the solenoid rocks saidpawl to disengage the respective pin from the forward-feed ratchet wheeland to engage the other pin with the reverse-feed ratchet wheel andthereafter to transmit a reverse feed movement through said pawl to saidreverse-feed ratchet wheel.

6. In a tape punch, the combination of, a forward-feed solenoid totransmit step-by-step forward movement to the tape, a reverse-feedsolenoid to transmit step-by-step reverse movement to the tape, a feeddirection switch which is normally positioned to close a circuit to saidforward-feed solenoid and which may be reversed to open said circuit andto close a circuit to said reverse-feed solenoid, a time-delay relay inthe circuit of said forward-feed solenoid having a normally-closedswitch which is closed a predetermined time after the energization ofthe relay. and a master switch impulse-producing mechanism to transmitimpulses to the circuits of said solenoids whereby feed impulses areproduced depending upon which circuit is at that time closed by saidreed direction switch.

7. In a tape punch, a tape-feed mechanism to impart step-by-stepmovement to the tape comprising, a pair of solenoid assemblies each ofwhich includes a solenoid and an armature which is moved by energizationof the solenoid, a rockably mounted ieed-arm, a spring biasing saidfeed-arm toward one extreme of its movement. a leverage assemblyconnecting one of said armatures to said feed-arm so that uponenergization-of the respective solenoid said feed-arm is rocked againstthe action of said spring. a rotatable shaft having its axis coincidentwith the axis of the rocking movement of said feed-arm, a forward-feedratchet wheel mounted on said shaft, a pawl rockably mounted on saidshaft and having a pair of oppositely extending pawl pins, a springbiasing said pawl so as to engage one of said pins-with saidforward-feed ratchet wheel. a reverse-feed ratchet wheel mounted on saidshaft and adapted to be engagedby the other of said pins upon therocking of said pawl against the action of the spring, and areverse-feed assembly connecting said pawl with the armature of theother solenoid assembly so that upon energization of the solenoid firstsaid pawl will be rocked against, the tension of its spring so as todisengage the respective pin from the forwardfeed ratchet wheel and toengage the other pin with the reverse-feed ratchet wheel and second areverse-feed step will be transmitted to said shaft.

8. In a tape-feed mechanism for a tape punch,

the combination of a motive assembly comprising a source of power forforward-feed and reversefeed step-by-step movements, a drive shaftthrough which the feed movements are transmitted to the tape, a shaftdriving assembly to transmit the reverse-feed movements to said shaftdirectly and to transmit the forward-feed movements to said shaft with apredetermined time delay between the initiating of each forward-feedmovement by the motive assembly and the driv ing of the shaft, a pinbarrel mounted on said shaft to transmit the feed movements to the tape,a star-wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, a jockey-roller resilientlyheld against said starwheel, and adjustable mounting means for saidjackey-roller to permit its adjustment tangentially with respect to saidstar-wheel.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the mounting in said jockeyroller comprises, a pivotal means, and an arm carrying said jockeyrollerat one end and pivoted at its other end on said pivotal means, saidpivotal means comprising an eccentrically mounted bushing which'isadjustably secured.

10. In a tape punch, the combination of, a pair of parallel spacedmounting plates, a plurality of solenoids mounted between said plateswith their axes normal to said plates, a plurality of armaturespositioned respectively in said solenoids and adapted to move axially ofthe solenoids, a plate assembly providing a plurality of parallel spacedflat spaces corresponding in number with the number of said armaturesand aligned respectively with the axes of said armatures, a punchassembly comprising a plurality of punches positioned in parallel spacedrelationship corresponding in number to said spaces and positionedrespectively in alignment with said spaces, and a plurality of leverageassemblies corresponding in number with said punches and positionedrespectively in said spaces, each of said leverage assemblies providinga mechanical connection between its punch and the respective armature.

11. In a tape punch, a punch assembly including a plurality of punchespositioned in spaced parallel relationship in substantially verticalalignment, a punch block having holes therethrough to receive saidpunches, a chip chute mounted on said punch block opposite said punchesto conduct, the chips from said punches downwardly, a chip tray beneathsaid chute, a tape feed assembly including a pin barrel rotatablymounted on a vertical axis adjacent said punch block, and a chip stirrerattached to said pin barrel to be rotated upon the rotation of said pinbarrel and to move chips within said chip tray from beneath said chipchute.

12. In a tape punch, the combination of, a base, punching means mountedthereon, a reel rotatably mounted on said base and spaced therefrom, atape guide to'receive the tape from said reel and to pass the tape tosaid punching means, said guide comprising a pair of roll turns seriallymounted along the path of the tape and having 16 axes which arepositioned substantially in quadrature, a tape punch unit to punch holesin the tape along a line substantially between the edge of the reel andthe base, and a pin barrel to pull the tape with a step-by-step movementthrough the punch unit around guide and from the reel.

13. In apparatus for punching record holes in tape, the combination 01,a punch assembly in. cluding a plurality of punches which are operablesimultaneously to produce signal elements. a forward-feed mechanism toimpart a step-bystep movement to the tape, said forward-feed mechanismincluding a spring assembly which is loaded a predetermined amount andthereafter imparts a feed movement and motive means to load said springassembly, and means to impart energy simultaneously to said punchassembly and said forward-feed mechanism whereby the punch assemblypunches the tape and thereafter the forward-feed mechanism produces aforwardfeed movement.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein a reverse-feed mechanismis provided which transmits a reverse-feed movement to the tapeimmediately upon receiving an impulse of energy.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein a forward-feed solenoidis provided the energization of which is controlled by a time-delayrelay and a reverse-feed solenoid is provided which is energizeddirectly by the actuation of a backspacing signal means.

16. In recording apparatus, the combination of a typewriter comprising acarriage for holding a work copy and a keyboard including a, pluralityof character keys operable, respectively, to effect printing ofcorresponding characters on said copy, an error key operable to effectprinting of a significant character which will obliterate previouslyprinted characters when printed over the latter, and a back-space keyoperable to effect step-bystep backward spacing of said carriage; a tapepunch operable when actuated to punch in a tape character-representingcode designations according to a predetermined combinational hole codesystem and including both a forward-spacing means and a backward-spacingmeans for spacing said tape; a permutation unit actuated in response tothe operation of each of said character keys and effecting in eachinstance operation of said tape punch to punch a code designationrepresenting the corresponding character and to operate saidforward-spacing means, and said permutation unit being actuated inresponse to the operation of said error key to effect operation of saidpunch to punch in the tape all code positions of said code system and tooperate said forward-spacing means; and means responsive to theoperation of said back-space key to efiect operation of saidbackward-spacing means of the punch simultaneously with the backwardspacing of said carriage.

HARRY J. NICHOLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,975,791 Hopkins Oct. 9, 19342,325,961 Leathers Aug. 3, 1943

